I purchased this 1997 ford thunderbird lx sport as a used vehicle in oct. 2002. I noticed that during the first few weeks of owning this vehicle it would intermittently leak a substantial amount of coolant onto my driveway but I could never see where it was coming from. Sometimes it would go for days without leaking and then one day there would be over a quart of coolant on the driveway. I brought the car into a shop that put the car on a lift to look for the leak but they could not find one. I continued to drive the car and add coolant every time the "low coolant" light appeared on the dash panel. In may 2005 I was on the 91 freeway and suddenly without warning the "low coolant" light came on and the temp came up quickly so I tried to change lanes to the right to exit the freeway and the back of the car broke loose and I almost turned sideways. I found out later that the rear tires and wheel wells were soaked in coolant. This was the first time that I found out that my intermittent leak that no one could find was my intake manifold at the base of the thermostat housing. I went to rancho santa margarita ford and asked about recalls and they told me that the recall for the intake manifold had expired a couple of months ago and that there was nothing that they could do. I called ford motor co. Customer relations and was told the same thing. The car now sits parked unrepaired. I cannot afford to pay almost two thousand dollars to correct fords engineering blunder.
1997 Ford Thunderbird engine complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 54, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Intake manifold cracked causing coolant to leak out. Ford will not repair unless I pay for it. Class action law suit pending. Ford agreed to replace on vehicles 7 years old or less. My veh is 8 years old with 26000 miles. Bad design for intake.
Dt: 1997 ford thunderbird lx v8 4.6 liters. 1997 ford thunderbird lx had a coolant leak. The plastic intake manifold overheated. Could smell antifreeze when getting out of vehicle. The antifreeze was leaking in three places. Vehicle had the original parts. The consumer was the second owner of the vehicle. Had not contacted the manufacturer. Did have someone look at vehicle , who confirmed that the intake manifold was plastic and vehicle was leaking antifreeze, and that the o rings needed to be replaced. Manufacturer was aware of this problem. The consumer found on the internet that a technical service bulletins was sent out on february 2, 2002 discussing this problem. However, the consumer was unaware of the technical service bulletin.
Upper intake manifold on my 1997 4.6 l thunderbird cracked and blew all the coolant into the engine compartment. I had to pay ford to replace the upper intake and the plugs that were fouled out. They refused any responsibility even with a formal written complaint to their home office. It is my understanding this is happening to a lot of their 4.6 l engines in a variety of vehicles.
To whom it may concern! My 1997 ford thunderbird is not listed why? I have a lot of problems with the smog stuff every year I pay a lot of money. When temperatures are hot outside over 90 the engine light comes on and says service engine, or when I go up a long hill and my car overheats the engine light comes on and says service engine and it is always about an oxygen sensor or other smog related items that always cost $300 to $650 I am going b broke being on a fixed income. Ford can't fix my front end vibration I had all alignments done wheel balancing 4 times nothing helps. My steering wheel vibrates also. Please help! Manfred gauer .
While driving approximately 40 MPH consumer heard a noise, then water spilled from the engine. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for service, and it was determined that intake manifold cracked.
Vehicle would not hold any radiator fluid,causing the temperature gauge to rise. Tried to refill the radiator fluid, but 5 minutes later it ran out. Could not drive vehicle. Took the vehicle to my mechanic,who told me that the intake manifold was cracked and needed to be replaced. He replaced the intake manifold,so the I would be able to drive the vehicle.
Engine front cover gasket failed in line with recall 99b29. Ford does not include my car built 04/97 in recall campaign 99b29 indicating the original recall has been inadequate.
The intake manifold cracked, loss of all antifreeze and vehicle being towed to dealership. Vehicle only has 60,000 miles on. The letter from ford to replace this expired in may 2004! I had complained to my dealership about loss of antifreeze, gas, they found no problems. Of course, now I have to pay for the entire repair. Even though I see that many t-bird owners are having the exact problem. This should have been a mandatory recall from ford. Because existing problems are being reported!
The intake manifold was defective. All of the coolant leaked and subsequently the vehicle was towed. The dealer stated the defect was outside of the seven years of the original recall.
Cracked intake on my 97 t bird.
Engine manifold cracked allowing antifreeze to escape. Took car for repair. Learned later that repair was a recall. Asked ford for reimbursement. Reimbursment denied.
I am the original owner of a 1997 ford thunder bird with the 4.6 engine. The intake manifold is cracked . I have been informed this is a recalled part on some cars but it seems my car is not included in the recall. The original repair part is not available any long do to the flaw. Since this is the case it woud seem to me all vehicles with this intake manifold would be included in the recall.
I was driving my car to pay the power bill. I had made a complete stop and then turned left up the road about 4/10's of a mile when I pulled into the parking space I noticed white steam coming from the engine compartment. I opened the hood a the engine was covered in antifreeze. I called for a tow hoping it was a blown hose or at worst a head gasket. So I didn't drive it further to prevent further damage. The dealership looks at it and says it is a cracked intake manifold. Which leads to a $1135 bill for parts and labor. Some online research brought a concern...is the intake manifold plastic? If so, why!?
Request for reimbursement for replacement of the intake manifold. *mr the consumer was told that the manifold would only be replaced upon failure. The vehicle had been losing antifreeze. Each time the vehicle was taken to the dealer, he was told that everything was fine. The manifold finally failed and was out of warranty. The dealer would not honor the open recall. The check engine light was intermittent due to a bad sensor. *sc
Intake manifold leaks. Consumer has to put coolant in the vehicle every 2 to 3 days.
Intake monifold failed to contain 220 degree f engine coolant.
I had to replace the coolant inlet manifold on my 1997 ford thunderbird. This should have been covered by ford recall #97m91 but for some reason ford has excluded my VIN no. From the recall. This problem was clearly caused by a defective part and was replaced with an "upgraded" part.
While driving vehicle started to misfire and stall. Intake manifold cracked and leaked anti freeze which caused the problem. Manufacturer had an owner notification on this issue to replace the plastic intake manifold, but this vehicle not covered for two months due to VIN.
Engine developed a coolant leak due to a split in the plastic intake manifold. Recall 97m91 which is only good for 7 years from the start of the original warranty was up 2 days prior to incident. Fomoco and dealer wouldn't cover, to bad for me. Recall doesn't cover replacement unless it is leaking within that 7 years. Design has been changed to an aluminum crossover that hopefully wont split and costs approx $800 to fix.
Fatigue crack in intake manifold of 4.6 l engine that that caused loose of coolant and the engine to over heat. My 1997 ford thunderbird is not part of the recall even thought it has the same engine and defective manifold. Repair cost is $600.00. Ford already has a recall and the follow was coped from source: ford motor company documents ford motor company will extend the recall (01m02) on 4.6l v8 equipped vehicles with plastic intake manifolds. Some of the composite intake manifolds used on 4.6l sohc engines may develop fatigue cracks at the coolant crossover duct. This condition could result in engine coolant leakage which, if not serviced, may cause engine overheating. Complete loss of coolant may result in engine damage or engine failure. The updated recall now includes: " certain 1996 through 2001 model year crown victoria police interceptor " certain 1998 through 2001 model year crown victoria with taxi " certain 1998 through 2001 lincoln town car limousine and livery prep package " certain 1996-2001 crown victoria taxis, police cars and lincoln town car limousine and livery cars. " certain 1996 through 1997 crown victoria police interceptor vehicles with 4.6l sohc engines built at the st. Thomas assembly plant from the beginning of production for the 1996 model year through january 28, 1997. " certain 1998 through 2001 crown victoria police interceptor vehicles with 4.6l sohc engines built at the st. Thomas assembly plant from november 22, 1997 through december 15, 2000. " certain 1998 through 2001 crown victoria taxi vehicles with 4.6l sohc engines built at the st. Thomas assembly plant from november 22, 1997 through december 15, 2000. " certain 1998 through 2001 lincoln town car limousine prep package and livery vehicles with 4.6l sohc engines built at the wixom assembly plant from november 22, 1997 through december 15, 2000.
Per consumer vehicle is not part of the owner notification for the intake manifold coolant leak # .97m91, but vehicle is experiencing the same failure.
Intake manifold is leaking coolant onto the engine. Thid could result in an engine fire.
The plastic intake manifold cracked which caused coolant to leak and the vehicle over heated.
The consumer could smell anti-freeze in the cab of the vehicle. The mechanic stated that the intake manifold was cracked in two spots.
Intake manifold was recalled on vehicle, but owner was not informed when vehicle was at dealership. Eight days later, vehicle shutdown on highway with no warning due to loss of coolant from intake manifold cracking. *ak
While driving approximately 65 to 70 MPH, engine unexpectedly lost power and white smoke started coming from engine compartment. Independent garage examined vehicle and diagnosed head gasket had failed, and was replaced. *ak consumer states because of all the other failures the engine was ruined and also needs to be replaced.
Head gasket blew. Engine ruined. Vehicle lost power. Smoke poured from engine. There was no fire. I saw no indication of problrm on panel. Notificatio on panel lit up as vehicle slowed down to service engine.
They replaced the manifold and then the radiator malfunctioned, 18.000 miles later the heater core failed, was replaced in the last 6 months since aug 4 times. Ford does not have a clue and the dealer is trying to fix it each time at leaks.the brakes/rotors have been a cronic problem since the car was new. The calipers have been resurfaced 3 times and finally replaced.
The original warranty booklet that came with car when I purchased it stated that emission sensors would be covered under warranty for 7 years or 70,000 miles under california emissions which I have on my car...when catalytic sensor monitor failed ford refused to cover it under warranty, and I was forced to pay $269.to have repair done by dealership...ford motor company should be held accountable for not complying with safety and emision standards..
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